Stand for reading material

ABSTRACT

A stand comprising a camera tripod and a support tray for reading material and laptop computers. A quick-release mechanism allows for quickly attaching the tray to, and detaching the tray from, the tripod. The tray may have a flat base and a lip which prevents articles from rolling off the tray. Apertures in the tray allow access to the locking mechanism. A handle aperture in the tray allows for ease of carrying the device. The tray has articulated extension arms for supporting oversized papers. The tripod may be equipped with an accessory tray fastened between the legs.

REFERENCE TO RELATED CASES

[0001] This application claims the priority date of U.S. provisional application Ser. No. 60/247,216, filed Nov. 13, 2000.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0002] 1. Field of the Invention

[0003] The present invention relates, generally, to a support stand for reading material such as books, magazines, or a laptop computer. More particularly, the invention relates to a support stand for reading material, which stand connects to a camera tripod.

[0004] 2. Description of the Related Art

[0005] The state of the art includes various devices and methods for supporting reading material and other items such as artist's materials. Some of these devices are designed to connect to a camera tripod. U.S. Pat. No. 4,699,346 to Bahm discloses an art easel that attaches to a camera tripod using a retaining plate which connects to the tripod by conventional screw connection. The retaining plate is configured to mate with portions of the easel so that the easel can be removably clamped to the retaining plate. The easel portion can be easily separated from the retaining plate, but the retaining plate is left attached to the tripod and must be removed by the screw connection if the tripod is to be used for other purposes.

[0006] U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,791,623, 5,083,737, and 3,580,653 disclose other more complex artist easels designed to attach to a camera tripod, and they all attach by a screw connection to the top plate of a camera tripod. These devices are not readily separable from the tripod and are not intended to be used apart from the tripod.

[0007] Many other devices support reading material, but they are not intended to be used with a camera tripod.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0008] The present invention provides an improved stand for reading materials which overcomes the limitations and shortcomings of the prior art. It is designed specifically for use with a camera tripod and has a quick-release adapter which interfaces with a receptacle on the top of the tripod.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING

[0009]FIG. 1 is a side view of a stand of the present invention showing a tripod with a stand attached..

[0010]FIG. 2 is a view along the line 2-2 of FIG. 1 showing the support exploded from the receptacle.

[0011]FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a locking plate which may be attached to the support tray.

[0012]FIG. 4 is a side cross-sectional view of a support tray (in part) having the quick-release locking mechanism attached.

[0013]FIG. 5 is a plan view of the quick-release mechanism of this invention.

[0014]FIG. 6 is an enlarged cross-sectional view of the support tray of this invention with a bolt therethrough.

[0015]FIG. 7 is a plan view of the back of the support tray with the support plate retracted and illustrating different apertures in the tray.

[0016]FIG. 8 is a plan view of the front of the tray showing articulated extension arms in an extended condition.

[0017]FIG. 9 is a perspective view of a stand of the present invention as used with a laptop computer.

[0018]FIG. 10 is a plan view of a support tray for use with a laptop computer showing a wrist rest attached to the tray.

[0019]FIG. 11 is a side view of the tray and wrist rest attachment of FIG. 10.

[0020]FIG. 12 is a perspective view of a portion of the stand of the present invention showing an accessory tray attached.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0021] Referring to FIGS. 1-6, a stand 2 of the present invention is illustrated. The stand 2 comprises a camera tripod 4 and a support tray 6 adapted to releasably connect to the tripod 4 through a quick-release locking mechanism 8. A first portion 10 of the quick-release locking mechanism 8 remains permanently attached to the tripod 4 and a second portion 12 is preferably permanently attached to the support tray 6. A handle-14 operated cam mechanism 16 secures the first 10 and second 12 portions together and allows them to readily be separated so that the support tray 6 may be quickly and easily securely attached to and detached from the tripod 4. When attached to the tripod 4, the support tray 6 can be positioned as needed using the conventional adjustment features contained in the head of the tripod 4. The height of the support tray 6 is adjusted by adjusting the length of the legs 18 and the center post 20 of the tripod 4.

[0022] The quick-release locking mechanism 8 is typically square or rectangular in shape, and includes a receptacle 22 attached to the tripod 4 and a locking plate 24 which is attached to the tray 6, preferably at a central location. The receptacle 22 typically has a rectangular or square cavity 26 which receives the locking plate 24. At least two sides of the cavity 26 are bounded by undercut sides 28 which mate with the first undercut side 30 of the locking plate 24. The locking plate 24, typically 1½ to 2 inches square, has a second undercut side 32 opposite the first undercut side 30 which is retained by a handle-14 operated cam mechanism 16 connected to the receptacle 22. The handle-14 operated cam mechanism 16 has an engaging portion 34 and a handle portion 14 which rotates about a pivot 36 on the receptacle 22. When the locking plate 24 is positioned in the cavity 26, the handle portion 14 is moved to engage the engaging portion 34 with the second undercut side 32 thereby retaining the locking plate 24 in the cavity 26. By moving the handle portion 14 to disengage the engaging portion 34 from the second undercut side 32, the locking plate 24 is quickly and easily separated from the receptacle 22.

[0023] Tripod manufacturers typically supply locking plates with receptacles and there is little standardization among tripod manufacturers regarding the size and shape of locking plates and cavities. However, most locking plates have two opposite undercut sides. A typical locking plate which comes with a tripod has a center aperture and a screw through it for attaching to female screw threads in a camera body. To use a locking plate provided by a tripod manufacturer with the tray 6 of the present invention, preferably the screw is removed and a more permanent connection, such as a rivet 38, is made between the tray 6 and the locking plate 24.

[0024] Referring to FIG. 3, alternatively a locking plate 40 may be fabricated with the tray 6 and attached to it by conventional means such as mechanical fasteners and/or bonding. The locking plate 40 is constructed and arranged to be received in the cavity of a receptacle of a quick-release locking mechanism 8 on a tripod 4 and several configurations of the locking plates 40 may be necessary to accommodate a variety of tripods 4. The locking plate 40 has an upper surface 42 which mates with the support tray 6 and a first 44 and second 46 opposite undercut sides which, along with the lower surface 48, mate with a cavity 26 in a receptacle 22 of a quick-release locking mechanism 8 on a tripod 4.

[0025] Referring to FIGS. 6-10, the support tray 6 may have many configurations. Preferably, it has a flat base 50 with a lip 52 extending outward from the base 50 approximately normal to the base 50 at its lower edge 54. The base 50 is preferably rectangular in shape, but it may be round, oval, or any other desired shape. It is preferably made of wood, but it may be plastic, metal, or other suitable material. The lip 52 is provided to prevent whatever objects are placed on the tray 6 from sliding down and off of the base 50. The ends of the lip 52 are curved to prevent damage to paper or other objects.

[0026] The base 50 has apertures 56 on either or both sides of the locking plate 24. The apertures 56 provide for viewing of the locking plate 24 and the locking mechanism 8 from above the support tray 6 to facilitate easier attachment to and detachment from the receptacle 22 of the locking plate 24 on the tripod. These apertures 56 may be elongated as illustrated in FIG. 7.

[0027] The base 50 has a handle aperture 58 which preferably is an elongated horizontally oriented slot centrally located near the upper edge 60. The primary function of the handle aperture 58 is to provide a handle for carrying the tray 6 with or without the tripod 4 attached. The handle aperture 58 is preferably approximately ¾ inch wide by 4 inches long.

[0028] The tray 6 may be disconnected from the tripod 4 and used separately. For such use, a foldable support structure 62 is attached to the back of the base 50 to allow the base 50 to be tipped up on a support surface. Referring to FIG. 7, an embodiment of the support structure 62 includes a stand plate 64 attached to the base 50 by hinges 66 located transversely slightly below the position of the locking plate 24. A stand plate 64 pivots outward from the back of the base 50, preferably to a stop which leaves the stand plate 64 extending outward from the base 50 at an angle which may range preferably from 45° to 135°. The inclination angle of the base 50 relative to a support surface on which it rests depends on the angle of the stand plate 64 relative to the base 50. The lower the angle between the stand plate 64 and the base 50, the steeper the inclination angle of the base 50. An adjustable stop may be provided between the stand plate 64 and the base 50 to allow adjustment of the inclination angle of the base 50. The stand plate 64 preferably has a cut-out 68 which allows clearance for the quick-release locking mechanism 8 attached to the tripod 4 when the stand plate 64 is folded flat against the base 50. When not in use, the stand plate 64 may be secured against the base 50 by a fastener, such as hook and loop material, or hinges 66 may provide sufficient friction to maintain the stand plate 64 in position against the base 50.

[0029] Referring to FIG. 8, another embodiment of the tray 6 includes extension arms 70 pivotally connected to the back of the base 50, preferably near the sides 72, 74 and the upper edge 60. The arms may be extendible telescopic arms or articulated arms. The articulated arms 70 have a plurality of segments 70 a, 70 b, 70 c pivotally connected at their ends in a manner, such as by riveting, that provides enough friction between the segments 70 a, 70 b, 70 c so that the segments 70 a, 70 b, 70 c will stay in a position that they are placed, yet not so much friction that it is difficult to move the segments 70 a, 70 b, 70 c. The purpose of the arms 70 is to provide support for oversized documents such as newspapers or blueprints. The arms 70 can be pivoted out from the base 50 and the segments 70 a, 70 b, 70 c positioned as necessary to provide the required support. When the arms 70 are not needed, the segments 70 a, 70 b, 70 c are folded onto themselves and then pivoted behind the base 50 where they are stored flush against it and do not interfere with any of the apertures 56, 58, in the base 50 or the operation of the stand plate 64.

[0030] Referring to FIG. 9, the stand 2 with its tripod 4 and support tray 6, may be used to support a laptop computer 72. The tray 6 may be dimensioned so that it approximately matches the base of the laptop computer 72 as shown. The laptop computer 72 may simply rest on the tray 6, or attachment features, such as hook and loop fastener material, may be provided between the tray 6 and the base of the laptop computer 72 to better secure the laptop computer 72 to the tray 6.

[0031] Referring to FIGS. 10 and 11, a wrist rest 74 may be attached to the base 50 for using the support tray 6 with a laptop computer 72. The wrist rest 74 has a clip portion 76 which receives the lip 52 of the base 50 and frictionally holds the wrist rest 74 secure against the lower edge 63 of the base 50.

[0032] Referring to FIG. 12, an accessory tray 78 may also be used with the stand 2. Such an accessory tray 120 is disclosed in U.S. provisional Ser. No. 60/164,584, filed Nov. 11, 2000, and later-filed U.S. Ser. No. ______ filed ______ which are incorporated herein by reference. The accessory tray 78 removably attaches to the center post 18 of the tripod 4. The accessory tray 78 is preferably semicircular or circular in shape and is sheltered by the legs 16 of the tripod 4. The tray 78 pivots about the center post 18 and is constructed and arranged so that the legs 16 do not interfere with such motion.

[0033] Although the invention has been described and illustrated in detail, it is to be clearly understood that the same is by way of illustration and example, and is not to be taken by way of limitation. The spirit and scope of the present invention are to be limited only by the terms of the appended claims. 

I claim:
 1. A stand comprising: (a) a camera tripod having adjustable legs and a center post, (b) a support tray, (c) a quick-release fitting having two portions, one portion of the quick-release fitting being permanently attached to the tripod and one portion of the quick-release fitting being permanently attached to the support tray, which quick-release fitting releasably connects the tripod to the tray, and (d) a locking mechanism which secures the two portions of the quick-release fitting together.
 2. The stand of claim 1, wherein the tray comprises a flat base having a back surface, a lower edge, and a lip extending upward from the lower edge of the base.
 3. The stand of claim 2, wherein the base contains at least one aperture therein for viewing and accessing the locking mechanism.
 5. The stand of claim 2, wherein the base has at least one handle aperture for easily carrying the stand.
 8. The stand of claim 2, wherein the back surface of the base contains multiple extension arms attached thereto.
 9. The stand of claim 8, wherein the extension arms are articulated arms.
 10. The stand of claim 2, wherein a wrist rest is attached to the base.
 11. The stand of claim 2, wherein an accessory tray is attached to the center post of the tripod.
 12. A stand comprising: (a) a support tray comprising a flat base having a back surface, an upper edge, a lower edge, and a lip extending upward from the lower edge, and (b) a foldable support structure attached to the back surface of the base.
 13. The stand of claim 12 wherein the foldable support structure comprises a stand plate attached to the back surface of the base.
 14. The stand of claim 12, wherein the base has at least one handle aperture for easily carrying the stand. 